USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Hartford > Centennial memorial of the First Baptist Church of Hartford, Connecticut, March 23d and 24th, l890 > Part 4
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ceed quite as well in her lessons as Kitty. A little boy in a school, who had been reproved by his teacher be- cause he seemed to lag behind, with a tear in his eye looked up at the teacher, and said, " Teacher, I am doing the very best I can." When God has hedged a child by natural limitations of thought or of life, the child should not be blamed for that. And we should remember that we are serving the dear Master, who looked at men in their individuality, who understood the characteris- tics of Mary and Martha, who placed the abyss be- tween these women which they never could cross. That same Master understands the aptitudes of child- ren, and, I believe, inspired Frœbel to take this stand in behalf of child-life. By the way, that child, you know, that is slow when it is seven years old, may overtake the more precocious scholar by and by, and unfold into capacity and power which shall utterly overtop the other. I only plead that this distinction should be recognized. I only echo the grand, noble and manly words of Frobel, as they should be heard in our school-systems to-day.
Fræbel taught also that children must be taught by similitudes. This was Fræbel's thought, but, long be- fore that, it was the thought of him who walked in Galilee and spake only in parables to the people. How I used to groan when I was a little boy, wondering whether the preacher would have anything for me. Then came pure, abstract thought, marching on from first to sixteenthly, without one thought for me, and without one similitude.
I want to say a word here, teachers and children, on
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this striking fact. Frœbel has illustrated, naturally, the idea of the new life, by means of the growth of children. All the stages of Christian growth are so like the growth of a child that, looking at the likeness, we may help the child to climb as by no other means.
" As the days of a tree, so are the days of my people." The environment in the life of the individual, in vege- table life, in the life of a plant, is the great factor in its growth, and I think one of the grandest similitudes in the Old Testament is drawn directly from tree-life : "Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir-tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle-tree, and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign, that shall not be cut off. "
To me to-day (and I thank one man for opening these wonderful things to me in my early manhood) all nature illustrates Christian truth. The swan floats double- swan and shadow-and I believe God has embodied this fact of regeneration deeply, sacredly, in nature. Just take the seed; it must die before it germinates. All Christian life in these children's hearts is life from death. My dear little girls, and boys you must die within, to all that is selfish, and then Christ is born within you.
We are born in thought. Thought is the seed, and it is life from death, all the way through.
Another thing I know these boys would like to hear about is this: just as soon as the seed begins to germi- nate it grows in two directions; the root goes down into the dark, feeling its way, and the blade goes up and finds the light. Just so there are two sides to the Chris- tian life-a life of secret prayer, and a life that is lived
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before men. It is keeping the balance between these two lives that makes the Christian life.
A plant has three stages of growth; first, the roots start out; next, the stem, and then it leaps into flower. You will notice that after the plant comes into flower, first color comes, and then a sweet perfume. Just so in the Christian life there is a betterment, if it is only cultivated. The Christian life grows better and better. And with this thought I will close. I trust this may be the key-note to the future; that this church, with its hundred years of noble history, and all the churches and Sunday-schools which have grown out of it, may keep growing better and better.
You remember Dr. Holmes has a beautiful poem on "The Chambered Nautilus, " who leaves its last year's dwelling for a new one annually. The poet applies its lesson to his own life in these words,-
" Build thee more stately mansions, O my soul, As the swift seasons roll, Leave thy low vaulted past, Let each new temple, nobler than the last, Shut thee from heaven with a dome more vast, Till thou at length art free,
Leaving thine outgrown shell by life's unresting sea."
ADDRESS
OF THE
REV H. M. THOMPSON,
Pastor of the Memorial Baptist Church, Hartford.
" THOSE LITTLE ONES THAT BELIEVE ON ME."
Due, doubtless more to the Sunday-school than to any other single agency, is the fact that there are in our con- gregations to-day not an insignificant number of "little ones that believe in Jesus." A quarter of a century ago, the theory was entertained, that children could be converted. But there was not that confidence in child conversion, which would have led to special efforts in their behalf. That form of skepticism is not yet extinct. When the conversion of adults, who have perhaps lived two score years in sin, is heralded, the report is credited. But when it is stated that a large number of children have come to Jesus, heads are shaken and the hope is expressed that the work is genuine. Careful workers are misled at times in regard to children. But quite as often in regard to adults. And I venture to say that as large a proportion of the latter class fall away as of the former, when received on profession of faith into Bap- tist churches. But the saddest phase of doubt is seen in the indifference of many parents. The Jews looked
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upon the age of twelve as the age of responsibility. And many parents, themselves Christians, fail to see the need of conversion until fourteen or fifteen.
While these conditions have rendered the work more difficult, there has crept into many hearts, especially of Sunday-school teachers, a great longing for the salva- tion of those under their charge. Prayers and efforts in that direction have been rewarded. The phenomenon has been with increasing frequency repeated, of child- life surrendered to Jesus. Rich rewards to Sunday- school work are gleaned in souls saved, as also in the moulding and influencing of Christian character. Does any one question the fertility of the work? The work of saving the fallen and reclaiming the wandering costs unceasing toil and thousands upon thousands of dollars yearly. The Sunday-schools are maintained by penny collections and hours of labor, and far greater returns are witnessed.
The increase of interest in and labor for the saving of little ones constitutes a revival of religion. With the revival, arise new questions and suggestions as to our relations to "the little ones who believe." Jesus pro- nounces a terrible woe on any who may offend such. In spite of the warning, those are not wanting, who by ex- ample and precept are ready to poison the very foun- tains of young life. Eden's innocency was not a suffi- cient safeguard against the encroachments of the sug- gester of doubt and sin. Child purity of thought and life ought to protect it against any and all foes. But it does not. To the class designated as offenders we do not belong. But because there are such, we ought to
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be thoroughly awake to the spiritual interests of those who in a sense are under our guardianship. What shall we do for them? How may we defend them? How may we strengthen them? Responsibility must rest first upon the parents. None should come nearer the little believer than they. Next, upon the pastor. Whether he knows every child in the congregation or not, he should know each little one that believes in Jesus. Next, the teacher in Sunday-school must look with special interest upon the children of God. Finally it rests upon every Christian to offend not, in word or deed, but on the contrary to take the deepest interest in every such child.
Again, we must heed Christ's injunction to Peter, "Feed my lambs." This was distinct from the charge to feed his sheep. Recognizing that the ordinary means of grace may be too high in the rack for the lambs, special measures must be taken in their behalf. More personal work will be demanded. Children's meetings will be regularly required in coming years, just as the prayer and conference meeting is now.
In all our work for children, we should keep definitely before us, what our purpose is. Am I wrong in assert- ing that our aim is chiefly, the development of Christian character? The terms church work, training in church work, are rather indefinite terms in our day. Formerly they were understood as meaning simply spiritual exer- ercises, work to win souls, efforts to help others to a higher standard of living. People are now perplexed. Not long since a sister, of poor health, hesitated about joining a church because her health would not allow of
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ADDRESS OF THE
an active entering into church work. I asked what she meant by church work? If she referred to public wor- ship, prayer meeting, communion etc. By no means, was her reply. I refer to socials, suppers, fairs and the like. Judging from the columns of the daily papers, we may well wonder what else Christians find to do, since they are constantly racking their brains to find some new inventions that will catch the pennies of our modern Athenians who are on the qui vive to see or hear some new thing. This is not the occasion for discussions of the pros and cons of this class of church work. It is sufficient to say that in the training of child-believers, I think something else should be in mind. And first of all, the heart-life begun should be nourished. The secret of God's loving presence must be taught the child. He must learn the preciousness and strength derived from daily visitations to the throne of grace. The child that keeps thus close to Jesus is safe amid temptations. Next to prayer in importance in maintaining soul-life and character developments, is God's word. First, as protection. "Thy word, " says the Psalmist, "have I hid in my heart, that I may not sin against thee." Again, as indicator of duty's path ; " Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my pathway." Herein is sufficient motive for each to study prayerfully and care- fully the word of the Lord, that we may impart it to the child-believer.
While the heart-life is most essential, we ought to care for these little ones in their relations to the future and God's plan of saving the world. Veterans are re- ceiving honorable discharge daily. To fill the vacancies
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thus caused, promotions are taking place. The entire rank and file are crowded steadily to the front. The nature of the work done in the next century depends in great degree upon the training of the little ones that believe in Jesus. The past century has been marked by grand progress in the kingdom of our Lord. With en- larged experience, greater wealth, increased facilities, ought not progress to be manifold greater in years to come? So I believe it will be. The children must be trained in the art of giving-giving themselves to the Master's use. They must be led to raise their voices in advocacy of truth. Their small voices should blend with the strong voices of the aged in petition at the throne of grace. Hearts must be moved and intellects trained concerning the great forward movement to save a lost world. This is no small undertaking, though it be work for small beings. We shall be fitting souls for heaven. In so doing we shall fit them, if they remain in earth, for the most efficient service.
ADDRESS
OF THE
HON. WILLIS S. BRONSON.
This audience here to-day reminds me very much of one that gathered here in 1870, when the Baptist Sunday- schools of this county met here in mass convention. There is just one thing that I particularly remember about that. Dr. Ives, pastor of the church at Suffield, a tall man, with iron-gray hair, stood upon this platform talking that day, trying to impress upon the superin- tendents and teachers the importance of making the chil- dren love them. " Why," said he, "there isn't a child in Suffield that doesn't love me!" That is precisely what we want to do, superintendents and teachers. We want to make all the children in our several classes, and every child in the neighborhood, if possible, and every child in the school, if we have a sufficient influence, love us; not love us because we are great, not because we are handsome, but because they see in us that character which helps us to desire their very best good. But enough of this.
The Committee kindly sent me an invitation to say a few words to this mass meeting. They didn't tell me what I should talk about, and so I have a right to talk about anything I please, but they knew that I take to the
WILLIS S. BRONSON.
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ADDRESS OF THE HON. WILLIS S. BRONSON.
Sunday-school as naturally as a duck takes to water, so they probably knew just what I would talk about.
I cannot be expected to give you very much of the history of our school in the short time that is allotted to me, but I want to give you a synopsis of it. I want to tell you about its origin. I want to show you that when the schools, the Sunday-schools, of Hartford were or- ganized that they were organized by all the denomina- tions together, in harmony.
I had a pamphlet in my possession for a long time, giving some facts in regard to this matter, but when I went to look for it I could not find it. Finally I thought of a man who could give me these facts, and I wrote to him and asked him to do so. He has sent me a letter which gives a history of the origin of our Sunday- schools in Hartford. And, as I have so much to say, and so little voice with which to say it, I will ask our pastor to read that letter.
THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL TIMES
EDITORIAL ROOMS, 1031 WALNUT STREET,
PHILADELPHIA, March 19, 1890.
MR. W. S. BRONSON,
Hartford, Connecticut.
MY DEAR MR. BRONSON :-
About thirty years ago, Mr. Zephaniah Preston compiled from the records of the " Hartford Sunday-school Society," which was organized May 5th, 1818, important facts connected with the beginning and early work of that Society. A copy of his pamphlet, given to me by him, en- ables me to answer your questions concerning the beginning of your Sunday-school.
April 2nd, 1818, "a meeting of a number of the inhabitants of the Town of Hartford was holden, to take into consideration the propriety
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of establishing a Sunday-school in said Town." The Rev. Abel Flint was chairman of that meeting, and Seth Terry, Esq., clerk. At that time there were only four churches within the city limits; one Baptist, one Episcopal, and two Congregational.
At that meeting a committee was appointed to prepare a plan for the organization and management of a Sunday-school. That committee reported, at an adjourned meeting held on May 5th, a constitution for the society ; and a Board of Officers was chosen. May 12th, 1818, it was decided to open four Sunday-schools, all under the general over- sight of the Society : "No. 1 at the North Conference Room ; No. 2 at the Episcopal Church ; No. 3 at the Baptist Meeting-House ; and No. 4 at the South Chapel." Joseph B. Gilbert was appointed Superintendent of School No. 3. May 26th six teachers for School No. 3 were ap- pointed : Miss Delia Bolles, Miss Minerva Farnsworth, Miss Mary Smith, Mr. Sylvester Beach, Mr. Edward Bolles, and Mr. George Sumner.
On the second Tuesday of June, Benjamin Hastings and Jesse Savage were appointed visitors of School No. 3. August 11th "a committee was appointed to visit such families as they may deem expedient, with a view to influence them to send children to the schools." This committee for School No. 3 was Jeremiah Brown, Jesse Savage, and John Bolles.
October 13th, 1818, reports showed that about 500 scholars on an average were in attendance at the four schools, each Sunday. It was also voted that the schools take a vacation from the last Sunday in October to the first Sunday in April. You will see by this that the vacation idea was in the minds of the Hartford Sunday-school workers from the beginning.
On the committee appointed at the first meeting to prepare a plan of organization, the Rev. Elisha Cushman, Mr. Joseph B. Gilbert, Mr. Jeremiah Brown, and perhaps others, from your church were members. Mr. Jeremiah Brown was the first treasurer of the Society, and the Rev. Elisha Cushman came first on its list of directors, while Mr. Joseph B. Gilbert was also a director.
In the First Annual Report of the Connecticut Sunday-school Union, given at New Haven May 4, 1826, I find a mention of your Sunday- school as having one superintendent, fifteen teachers, and "about sixty-eight scholars "-in average attendance, I suppose.
In the Second Annual Report of the Hartford County Sunday-school Union, made April 8, 1829, I find your school reported as having "one
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HON. WILLIS S. BRONSON.
superintendent, two assistant superintendents, thirty-four teachers, and one hundred and ninety-five scholars. The average attendance in sum- mer, is about one hundred and eight,-in winter, about ninety." By this it would seem that your school at that time had winter sessions, and that its increase had been great within three or four years. Its library then contained about two hundred volumes. The Rev. Barnas Sears was at that time your pastor.
The concluding extract from your report at that time was, "At pres- ent a good degree of zeal and activity prevails in our school, and we hope it is increasing."
Hoping that these facts will be of interest to you, I am
Yours sincerely,
H. CLAY TRUMBULL.
(After the letter was read by the pastor, Mr. Bronson continued as follows :)
I might with propriety sit down now, having furnished this matter of historical information with reference to the early days of our school. But you will notice Deacon Joseph B. Gilbert's name is mentioned there, as the first superintendent of the school. I suppose it would be ad- mitted that our school has been at least ordinarily suc- cessful; that its numbers and its character have been equal at least to ordinary schools. And I attribute that in a great degree to the character of the man who organized it. Deacon Gilbert had no superior for integrity, for uprightness, for a pure and noble Christian character. I speak whereof I know with reference to him, because I was associated with him in business from the time that I was 22 years of age until his death.
I may say our school has always been a united one. Thirteen years I was the assistant superintendent of the school and twenty-five years superintendent. In all those years I do not know of any serious trouble that has
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ADDRESS OF THE
occurred in our school, no serious difference of opinion. And, to give you an example of the unanimity and har- mony in which the school acted, I will say that they practically elected me those thirteen times assistant su- perintendent almost unanimously, practically unani- mously. So they did the twenty-five times I was super- intendent. And with about the same unanimity they let me go at the end of the time. So you see they are unani- mous in whatever they take hold of. They go together.
In 1859 the school had a total enrollment of 300 with an average attendance of 245. In 1866, the enrollment was 614. In 1877, it was 556 and the average attend- ance 342.
I feel that it is an honor to me to have been a member of our school for so many years. I feel that it is an honor to anyone to have been a member of the school. It has occupied a high position in this community, as high, perhaps, as any other school. It has had honora- ble men and women as its teachers and scholars.
I can recall to mind Deacon J. G. Bolles, the John of the apostles, who was superintendent then, Deacon Joseph B. Gilbert, Deacon Brown, Deacons Clapp, Can- field, Knowlton, and various other persons, whose names I have not here. They came into the school in times that tried men's love for the truth. And how many there are who have gone out from among us to occupy honorable positions in the community.
Let me speak of that noble band of men who were members of our Sunday-school and have devoted their lives to preaching the everlasting gospel. I may not have all of them. I have some of them. If any of
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you know of others, I should be very glad to have you give us the names. Dr. Hodge, George W. Pendleton, Rev. S. M. Whiting, Rev. Lester Lewis, Rev. M. C. Twing, the Bronson brothers (they are not in the order in which they went into the ministry) ; Rev. Stephen Page, Rev. Elisha Cushman, Jr., Rev. Henry E. Robins, and Rev Dr. George M. Stone, whom you have with you to-day. I have taken a little liberty in mentioning the name of Dr. Stone, but he was a member of our school for about three months ; during the vacation season he was here visiting friends and relations, and came into our school. He was a very fine young man, and has proved to be a very excellent middle-aged man. Rev. Cornelius Wells was another. How many of you will remember him? Rev. Daniel J. Glazier I spoke of the other night, so I will not stop to do it again here. I find it is said of Rev. Thomas S. Barbour, in our Sunday-school records that in 1866 he was present 52 Sundays, which was doing very nicely for him. I name also Rev. Jas. H. Arthur, Rev. Dr. Lu- cius E. Smith, Rev. H. H. Barbour, and Rev. Halsey W. Knapp, William Ward West and Rev. Benjamin Gower. All of these have gone out from our Sunday-school to preach the gospel. What an influence they must be ex- erting in all parts of the earth! Some of them have come back to us to-day, and others would have been re- joiced to do so, but found it impossible.
What shall we say of all this great band of noble men and women who have not become ministers of the gos- pel, but have gone out into all parts of our land, and I may say of the earth, doing their life-work, carrying
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ADDRESS OF THE
with them the principles of eternal truth, as taught them while in our school? Undoubtedly their influence though quietly exercised is immense. It is not always the most demonstrative thing that does the most good, but it is the consistent life, daily, weekly, yearly, in whatever occupation we are engaged.
Now I want to speak to you a moment of the children and the grand-children, the Sunday-schools, that have left our school. The South Baptist school was organized in 1834. The Grand Street Mission went from the South Baptist school. It is now the Washington Ave- nue school, a sort of grand-daughter to this school. Then the Bethel Mission, worked and supported by this school, finally culminated in the church on Windsor Avenue. The school is now held on Suffield street. Then comes the Asylum Avenue school. See how the influence has spread, and is constantly spread- ing. It shall never be lessened, but continually increase until the last day shall come and the sheaves shall be gathered home.
Now a word to the teachers and scholars with refer- ence to the influence that you might exert, in addition to all that you do exert, with reference to bringing recruits to the Sunday-school. I suppose not one-half of the in- habitants of this city under 20, are in the Sunday-school anywhere. They are not studying the Bible anywhere. Now, I want to know if such a mighty band of men and women as there is here, if they should set their hearts to work at it, could not go out and gather in every child, every young man and woman and by their in- fluence lead them to become students of the Bible.
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HON. WILLIS S. BRONSON.
The work is only just begun. It is only a hundred years since the church was organized, and only seventy- two years since the schools were organized in this city, and yet what strides they have made! If they made this progress under such difficulties in the past, if they have made it with so little influence in the past, how much more might be accomplished in the future, if we would all work for that purpose !
How much we have heard, and do sometimes now hear, in the public press, with reference to Sunday- school superintendents, and teachers, Wanamaker for example, and the influence of schools. They are con- stantly going forward, constantly progressing, constantly making their divine impress upon the hearts of the com- munity. And they shall never cease until that blessed Bible shall be in every hand and impressed upon every heart.
ADDRESS
OF THE
REV. J. KITTREDGE WHEELER.
Pastor of the South Baptist Church, Hartford.
"PLANTED IN THE COURTS OF THE LORD."
I am sure we are all proud of our mother, and I do not think she has any occasion to be ashamed this after- noon of her fair and beautiful children, who join with her in this centennial service.
I was not privileged to be with you this morning, on account of illness in my family, but my heart was here. And by "my heart" I mean one of your daughters, to whom I am married, the South Baptist Church.
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